News Release

Sunday, September 27, 2009

4 Month-Old Baby Shot and Killed NR09472ne

***CORRECTION-UPDATE***

The correct phone number to call, for those with information related to this crime, is Van Nuys Homicide Detectives Nuttall and Martinez at 818-374-0040.

Additionally, some questions have been raised pertaining to the party that Baby Andrew Garcia had been attending prior to his murder. The party had been a family gathering and was not related to his own baptism party. We apologize for any inconvenience this error may have caused.

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police detectives are asking for the public's help in locating the suspect(s) responsible for the shooting death of a 4-month-old Andrew Garcia and injuring two others.

On September 27, 2009, at around 1 a.m., baby Garcia was in the company of his mother, father and family friends in the 14300 block of Kittridge Street. Contreras, a family friend was seated in the passenger seat of a vehicle feeding baby Garcia. Ramirez, also a family friend was standing outside of the same vehicle when a verbal confrontation ensued between the family group and two suspects walking across the street. One of the suspects used a shotgun and fired at the group, striking baby Garcia, Contreras and Ramirez.

All three victims were transported to local hospitals. Ramirez was treated and released, Contreras is in stable condition. Baby Andrew Garcia failed to respond to medical treatment and later died.

The suspects ran on foot and were last seen running northbound on Sylmar Avenue from Kittridge Street. Suspect 1 is described as a male Hispanic about 5'8 to 5'10 in height, 18 to 22 years of age with a shaved bald head wearing a white t-shirt. The second suspect is described as a male Hispanic, 5'5" tall and heavy build, weighing around 200 pounds.

Anyone with information about this crime or the suspects is asked to call Van Nuys Area Homicide detective James Nuttall or Marc Martinez at 818-756-8343. During off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (527-3247). Callers may also text "Crimes" with a cell phone or log on to www.lapdonline.org and click on Web tips. When using a cell phone, all messages should begin with "LAPD." Tipsters may remain anonymous.